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TROY - Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday announced the makers of Clyde May's Alabama-style whiskey plans to consolidate operations in Troy, where the company will build an artisan distillery, rack houses and a bottling hub, as well as a tasting experience center designed to attract tourists.

Conecuh Ridge Distillery LLC's project calls for an initial investment of $13.6 million in the Pike County city, where it expects to employ 50 people in the fifth year of operation. The average annual wage for those jobs is around $54,000.

"Today's announcement affirms that our state's sound business climate is a positive attraction for companies looking to find a home. We are glad Conecuh Ridge Distillery has chosen Troy for their operations center," Governor Ivey said. "In addition to the 50 jobs being created, we are excited about the potential economic impact this company will have in Pike County as this becomes a tourist destination for the official spirit of Alabama."

Study: Autocar's new Birmingham plant to have $645 million economic impact

By Michael Tomberlin

September 13, 2017

The new Autocar LLC truck assembly plant in Birmingham will lift the area economy by more than $645 million per year, which includes a boost to the state economy by $229 million annually, officials said.

Gov. Kay Ivey joined company officials and local elected leaders along with economic developers to announce the Autocar project, which is already operating in half of a 1 million-square-foot facility in Pinson Valley.

Innovate Birmingham workforce program graduated its second cohort of students Friday, Sept. 8, at the Birmingham Museum of Art, 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd.

"The Innovate Birmingham graduation is a momentous event that brings together an entire community and changes lives," said Innovate Birmingham Workforce Program Director Abby Guerin. "We are proud to have a program like this in Birmingham and proud to be a part of shaping the future of the city."

The ceremony included employers that are hiring graduates. Graduates of the IT bootcamp class have gone on to secure employment with organizations such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, Honda, Protective Life, UAB and others.